CN112136509A

CN112136509A - Rail barrier

Info

Publication number: CN112136509A
Application number: CN202010600484.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 泰勒·S·布雷梅尔; 迈克尔·T·梅施克
Original assignee: Deere and Co
Current assignee: Deere and Co
Priority date: 2019-06-27
Filing date: 2020-06-28
Publication date: 2020-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-28
Also published as: US11154013B2; US20200404850A1; BR102020012020A2; DE102020207818A1; CN112136509B

Abstract

An axial flow drum assembly for harvesting crops. The axial flow drum assembly has a rotating portion defined along an axis of rotation, and a surrounding assembly at least partially surrounding the rotating portion, the surrounding assembly having at least one separation grate coupled to a support. The support defines an inner surface and has at least one barrier receiver. The at least one obstacle receiver is selectively coupleable to an obstacle to position the obstacle radially inward of the inner surface toward the axis of rotation.

Description

Rail barrier

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an obstacle, and more particularly to an obstacle positioned on crop handling equipment for an axial flow agricultural harvester.

Background

Many work machines, particularly those designed to harvest crops, utilize a rotating assembly to separate grain or the like from the remaining plant debris, such as leaves, stems and stalks. The rotating assembly is typically formed by a generally hollow drum having a flow drum rotating therein. As the axial flow drum rotates, any crop and debris positioned within the hollow drum is agitated and moves axially toward the rear of the rotating assembly, which typically has a breakaway portion. When the axial flow drum separates the grain from the remaining debris, the grain falls through a grate or the like along the lower portion of the rotating assembly. Once the grain is separated, it is further processed and temporarily stored in a bin of the work machine.

The rotating assembly typically has a support structure extending longitudinally along each side of the rotating assembly. The support structure provides a location for coupling the grating along the lower portion of the rotating assembly and coupling the shroud elements over the upper portion of the rotating assembly. When coupled to the support structure, the grid and hood elements form a generally cylindrical cavity within which the drum rotates. The capacity of the rotating assembly depends on how effectively the rotating assembly can separate the grain from the remaining plant debris. Wherein crop condition and crop type affect the capacity of the rotating assembly. It is therefore advantageous that the rotating assembly has a high capacity and can be adjusted for different crop conditions and types.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment is an axial flow drum assembly for harvesting crops. The axial flow drum assembly has a rotating portion defined along an axis of rotation, and a surrounding assembly at least partially surrounding the rotating portion, the surrounding assembly having at least one separation grate coupled to a support. The support defines an inner surface and has at least one barrier receiver. The at least one obstacle receiver is selectively coupleable to an obstacle to position the obstacle radially inward of the inner surface toward the axis of rotation.

In one example of this embodiment, the at least one obstacle receiving member includes a slot defined through the support member, wherein the obstacle extends through the slot. In another example, the obstruction has an obstruction length that defines a distance that the obstruction extends from the inner surface toward the rotating portion, the obstruction length being variable. In one aspect of this example, the at least one obstacle receiving member is sized to receive a plurality of obstacle types, wherein each of the plurality of obstacle types has a different obstacle length.

In another example of this embodiment, the obstruction is a square stock defined longitudinally along at least a portion of the support. In another example, the obstruction is a circular bar defined longitudinally along at least a portion of the support. In yet another example, the obstacles are tines extending from the support toward the rotating portion. In another example, the obstacle has a triangular or conical side profile.

In yet another example, the barrier is selectively coupled to the at least one barrier receiver to reposition the barrier between a limited exposure position in which the barrier does not extend beyond the inner surface of the support toward the rotating portion and a fully exposed position in which the barrier extends beyond the inner surface toward the rotating portion. In one aspect of this example, the barrier can be repositioned between the limited exposure position and the fully exposed position through the electronic user interface.

In another aspect of this example, the barrier can be repositioned between the unexposed position and the fully exposed position by a mechanical adjustment.

Another embodiment is harvested crop processing apparatus. The harvested crop processing apparatus has a support rail defining an inner surface, at least one grate coupled to the support rail at least partially about an axis of rotation, and an obstacle coupled to the support rail. The obstruction can be coupled to the support rail in a first orientation in which at least a portion of the obstruction extends radially inward toward the axis of rotation and beyond the inner surface of the support rail.

In one example of this embodiment, the barrier can be coupled to the support rail in a second orientation in which the barrier does not extend substantially radially inward beyond the inner surface toward the axis of rotation. In another example, the obstruction has a guide surface that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface when the obstruction is in the first orientation. In one aspect of this example, the obstruction has a trailing profile extending from the leading surface to the inner surface, wherein the trailing profile is not perpendicular to the inner surface.

In another example, the barrier is pivotally coupled to the support rail and includes a solenoid that selectively repositions the barrier between the first orientation and the second orientation.

Another embodiment is a crop harvesting machine having at least one ground engaging mechanism coupled to a frame, a header coupled to the frame and configured to cut a crop from a base surface, a crop handling apparatus coupled to the frame by a plurality of supports. The crop processing apparatus further has: a rail having a top side, a bottom side, an inner surface and an outer surface, the rail extending between two adjacent supports; a cover coupled to the rail along a top side of the rail; a grid coupled to the rail along a bottom side of the rail; an axial flow drum rotationally coupled to the crop harvesting machine along a rotational axis and positioned at least partially between the hood and the grate; and a first set of obstacles coupled to the track between the top side and the bottom side, the first set of obstacles defining at least one obstacle. The first set of obstacles can be coupled to the track in a first orientation to position at least one obstacle through a first slot in the track to extend radially inward toward the axis of rotation beyond the inner surface.

One example of this embodiment is a second set of obstacles coupled to the track between the top side and the bottom side, the second set of obstacles defining at least one obstacle. The second set of obstacles can be coupled to the track in the first orientation to position the at least one obstacle to extend beyond the inner surface radially inward toward the axis of rotation through a second slot in the track. Both the first and second groups of obstacles can also be coupled to the rail in a second orientation, wherein none of the at least one obstacle is positioned through the respective first or second slot when the corresponding first or second group of obstacles is in the second orientation. In one example of this embodiment, the first set of obstacles can be coupled to the track in a first orientation and the second set of obstacles is coupled to the track in a second orientation.

Drawings

The above aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a crop harvesting machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the housing of the harvested crop processing unit;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the harvested crop processing unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the crop treatment unit of FIG. 3 with an axial flow drum positioned therein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support rail with a plurality of obstacles positioned thereon;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the support rail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7a is a rear perspective view of the support rail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7b is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a support rail;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the support rail with the obstruction removed therefrom;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the support rail of FIG. 8 with the obstruction in a second orientation; and

fig. 10 is a side view of an embodiment wherein the barrier is pivotally coupled to the support rail.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and methods, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

In fig. 1, an embodiment of a harvester or agricultural combine 10 is shown, the harvester or agricultural combine 10 having a chassis or frame 12, the chassis or frame 12 having one or more ground engaging mechanisms (e.g., wheels 14) that contact a base surface or ground. Wheels 14 are coupled to frame 12 and are used to propel combine 10 forward in a forward operating or travel direction. The forward operating direction is to the left in fig. 1. The operation of the combine harvester 10 is controlled from an operator cab 16. The operator cab 16 may include any number of controls for controlling the operation of the combine harvester 10. A header 18 is provided at the forward end of the combine harvester 10 and is used to harvest crops, such as corn, and direct the crops to an inclined conveyor 20. The harvested crop is directed from the inclined conveyor 20 by a guide roller 22. The guide rollers 22 guide the harvested crop through an inlet transition 24 to an axial harvested crop processing apparatus 26, as shown in fig. 1.

The harvested crop processing apparatus 26 may include an axial drum shell 34 and an axial drum 36 disposed within the axial drum shell 34. The axial drum 36 comprises a hollow drum 38 to which crop handling elements for the charging section 40, the threshing section 42 and the separating section 44 are fastened. The charging section 40 is arranged at the forward end of the axial harvested crop treatment apparatus 26. The threshing section 42 and the separating section 44 are positioned downstream in the longitudinal direction and at the rear of the charging section 40. The drum 38 may be in the form of a truncated cone located in the loading section 40. The threshing portion 42 may include a cylindrical rear portion and a front portion in the form of a truncated cone. The cylindrical separation portion 44 of the drum 38 is located at the rear or end of the axially harvested crop treatment unit 26.

Kernels, chaff and the like falling through a thresher basket (thresher basket) associated with threshing section 42 and through a separation grate associated with separation section 44 may be directed to a clean crop directing assembly 28 comprising a blower 46 and screens 48, 50 with louvers.

Screens

48, 50 may oscillate in the fore-aft direction. The cleaning crop guide assembly 28 removes chaff and directs the cleaning grain on a screw conveyor 52 to an elevator for cleaning the grain. As shown in fig. 1, an elevator for cleaning grain deposits the cleaned grain in a grain bin 30. The cleaned grain in the grain bin 30 may be unloaded by an unloading screw conveyor 32 to a grain truck, trailer, or truck. The harvested crop remaining at the lower end of the lower screen 50 is transported again to the harvested crop processing apparatus 26 by the screw conveyor 54 and the overhead conveyor. Harvested crop residue, consisting essentially of chaff and small straw particles, being conveyed at the upper end of the upper screen 48 may be conveyed by means of the oscillating blade conveyor 56 to the rear of the crop debris directing assembly 60 and to the lower inlet 58.

The blower 46 generates an air flow that carries most of the chaff and small particles to the rear of the combine and to a crop debris directing assembly 60. The blower 46 can provide three or more air paths inside the combine. A first air path or flow path may pass through the front of the combine harvester 10. The second air path or flow path may be located above the lower screen 50 and below the upper screen 48 or chaffer screen. A third air path or flow path may be located below the lower screen 50. All three air paths or flow paths fill the combine body and may create a pressurized air flow to pick up and carry straw, grain, and other residue or particles to the rear of the combine 10.

The threshed straw exiting the separating portion 44 is discharged from the harvested crop processing apparatus 26 through an outlet 62 and directed to a discharge drum 64. The discharge drum 64 or discharge agitator interacts with a sheet 66 disposed beneath the discharge drum or discharge agitator to discharge straw to the rear, and grain and material other than grain (hereinafter "MOG") is directed through the clean crop guide assembly 28. The wall 68 is positioned to the rear of the exit roller 64. The wall 68 directs straw into an upper inlet 70 of the crop debris directing assembly 60.

The crop debris directing assembly 60 may include a housing 72 (i.e., a shredder housing) with an axial drum 74 disposed in the housing 72, the axial drum 74 being rotatable in a counterclockwise direction about an axis extending horizontally and transverse to the operating direction. The axial flow drum 74 may include a plurality of shredder blades 76, the shredder blades 76 depending in pairs and distributed about the circumference of the axial flow drum 74 and interacting with opposing blades 78 secured to the housing 72. Two impeller blowers 82 arranged side-by-side with each other may be provided downstream of the outlet 80 of the crop debris directing assembly 60. Only a single blower 82 is shown in fig. 1. The impeller blower 82 may include a plurality of impeller blades 84, each of the plurality of impeller blades 84 being rigidly connected to an upper disk 86, the upper disk 86 being rotatable about a central axis 88. The disc 86 with radially extending impeller blades 84 may be rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor 90, the hydraulic motor 90 being attached above a bottom sheet 102 connected to the housing 72 of the crop debris directing assembly 60. At the radially inner ends of the impeller blades 84, the impeller blades 84 are connected to a cylindrical central body 92 which transitions into a cone 94, said cone 94 having a point on its end facing away from the disc 86. The impeller blades 84 may be rectangular and the height of the body 92 (without the taper 94) may be equal to the height of the impeller blades 84. The cross-section of the body 92 and the cone 94 may be circular, but the cross-section may also have a multifaceted shape.

Referring now to fig. 2, one non-exclusive example of harvested crop treatment apparatus 26 removed from combine 10 is shown. More specifically, one embodiment of the surround assembly 214 is shown as being defined along the axis of rotation 212. Further, a support rail 202 is shown extending longitudinally along the harvested crop treatment apparatus 26. The support rails 202 may provide structural stability to the harvested crop treatment apparatus 26 and couple the crop treatment apparatus 26 to the combine harvester 10. Further, the support rail 202 may generally provide a location for the

cover elements

50, 52, 54 to couple to the support rail 202 along an upper portion and a location for the

grill elements

46, 48 to couple to the support rail 202 at a lower portion of the support rail 202. The

shroud elements

50, 52, 54 and the

grill elements

46, 48 may be coupled to the support track 202 to define a cylindrical cavity along the axis of rotation 212, in which the axial flow drum 36 may be positioned.

Although only one support rail 202 is visible in fig. 2, the second support rail 202 may also be positioned on the opposite side of the crop treatment apparatus 26 and extend longitudinally along the crop treatment apparatus 26 similar to the visible support rail 202. Further, the support rail 202 may actually be a plurality of rails. For example, the support track may include a separating track portion 204, a threshing track portion 206, and a charging track portion 208. Each

track section

204, 206, 208 may extend between support sections 210 of the combine harvester 10. The support 210 may be any portion of the combine 10 structurally supported by the frame 12, either directly or through additional components.

While a particular configuration of support rail 202 is shown and described with reference to fig. 2, the present disclosure contemplates utilizing any type of support rail to implement the teachings discussed herein. More specifically, any type of support member that extends longitudinally at least partially along the harvested crop treatment apparatus 26 may utilize the teachings discussed herein. Thus, the example of fig. 2 is not considered exclusive.

Referring now to fig. 3, a separate view of the support rails 302 coupled to the

grids

48, 46 is shown with the

shroud elements

50, 52, 54 removed. In the embodiment of fig. 3, a plurality of obstacles 304 are coupled to the support rail 302. The obstacles 304 may extend radially inward from the support track 302 to contact any crop material positioned therein as the axial drum 36 rotates. More specifically, one objective of crop processing plants is to quickly and efficiently separate grain from MOG. The obstacles 304 may extend sufficiently into the crop treatment apparatus 26 to agitate the crop material as it passes therealong to further remove any grain material.

In the embodiment of fig. 3, the obstruction 304 is located only along the breakaway portion 44. However, the present disclosure also contemplates implementing the teachings discussed herein along the threshing portion 42 and the charging portion 40. Thus, while not specifically shown, the present disclosure also contemplates locating obstacles along the charging portion 40 and the threshing portion 42.

Fig. 4 shows a rear view of the embodiment of fig. 3, showing an exemplary axial flow drum 36. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the axial flow drum 36 may rotate in a counterclockwise direction 402. In addition, the obstruction 304 may have a guide surface 404 that is approximately perpendicular to an inner surface 406 of the support track 302. In this configuration, as the axial flow roller 36 moves the crop in the counterclockwise direction 402, it may contact the guide surface 404 of the barrier 304, further agitating the crop to remove grain positioned therein. The removed grain may then fall toward and through a separation grate 48 for further processing by the combine harvester 10.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. More specifically, a plurality of obstacles 304 may be combined into an obstacle group 502. The set of obstacles 502 may be an assembly of obstacles 304 that may be selectively coupled to the support rail 302 to be positioned through the support rail 302. In the embodiment of fig. 5, each of the barrier groups 502 may be selectively coupled to the support rail 302 as desired. In this configuration, a user may select a desired number of obstacle groups 502 coupled to the support track 302 based on crop type and field conditions. In one non-exclusive example, only every other obstacle set 502 may be coupled to the support track 302 to agitate the crop, while the remaining obstacle sets 302 may be substantially smooth along the inner surface 406. Accordingly, the present disclosure contemplates coupling any combination of obstacle groups 502 to the support track 302 based on field and crop conditions and user preferences.

Any number of obstacles 304 may be coupled to each obstacle set 502. In one non-exclusive embodiment, there may be five obstacles 304 in each obstacle set 502. In another example, there may be four obstacles 304 in each obstacle group 502. Further, other examples may be less than four obstacles 304 per obstacle group 502, while other examples are more than five obstacles 304 per obstacle group 502. Accordingly, any number of obstacles 302 are contemplated herein for obstacle group 502.

In fig. 6, a side view of the support rail 302 is shown. The support rail 302 may have a top side 602 coupled to the shroud element 54 and a bottom side 604 coupled to the separation grid 48. The top and bottom sides may have through holes or the like to allow fastening mechanisms, such as bolts, to be positioned therethrough to couple the support rails 302 to the respective cover elements 54 and separation grids 48. However, any known fastening means is contemplated herein. Further, in one embodiment, the support rails 302 are welded to the shroud elements 54 and the separation grid 48.

Also shown in fig. 6 is a trailing profile 606 of the obstacle 304. Trailing profile 606 may be a sloped edge of obstacle 304 that extends from the base of obstacle 304 to guide surface 404. Although the guide surface 404 is discussed herein as being approximately perpendicular relative to the inner surface 406, the trailing profile 606 may be inclined relative to the inner surface when coupled to the support rail 302 as shown in fig. 6. In this arrangement, any crop debris that is loosely impacted above the obstacle 304 may fall more freely toward the separation grid 48. In other words, when guide surface 404 is positioned to agitate the crop as it flows in counter-clockwise direction 402, trailing profile 606 may be tapered to allow crop material to more easily pass over it in a clockwise direction.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, each barrier group 502 may be a plurality of barriers 304 extending from a base 608. The base 608 may be a substantially flat member that provides sufficient structural support to couple each obstacle 304 of the set of obstacles 502 thereto. Further, the base 608 may have one or more through-holes defined therein that allow the base 608, and in turn the set of obstacles 502, to be coupled to the support rail 302 via the obstacle receivers 610. The barrier receiver 610 may be one or more fasteners. However, any known method for coupling two components to one another is contemplated herein.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the barrier 304 may have a barrier length 612. The obstruction length 612 may be the length that the guide surface 404 extends radially inward beyond the inner surface 406 toward the axis of rotation 212. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the obstacle length 612 may vary for different obstacles 304 to accommodate different field and crop conditions. Still further, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the positioning of the obstruction 304 relative to the inner surface 406 may be variable, and the obstruction length may also be variable.

In fig. 7a, an embodiment of the base 702 is shown in which the base 702 extends to cover substantially the entire rear surface of the support rail 302. Further, the base 702 may have a notched end 706, wherein an adjacent base must be properly oriented to be positioned along the support rail 302 to be coupled to the receiver 610. Alternatively, fig. 7b shows the base 704 not occupying the entire rear surface of the support rail 302. Further, the base portions 704 do not have notched ends and may be oriented as desired regardless of the orientation of adjacent base portions 704.

Referring now to fig. 8, the rear side of the support rail 302 is shown with all of the obstacles 304 removed therefrom. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the support rail 302 may have a plurality of slots 802 defined therethrough. The slots 802 may be sized to allow the respective obstacles 304 to be positioned therethrough to extend from the inner surface 406 while the base 608 remains positioned along the outer surface 804. Also shown in fig. 8 is a coupling 806 extending from the outer surface 804. The coupling 806 may be an embodiment of the receiver 610 and correspond to a fastener, such as a nut, to selectively couple the barrier group 502 thereto.

In fig. 9, another aspect of the present disclosure is shown. More specifically, the set of obstacles 502 of fig. 9 is illustrated as being oriented in a substantially 180 degree reverse manner to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6. That is, the obstruction 304 does not extend through the slot 802, but rather extends away from the outer surface 804. In such a configuration, the barrier 304 may not extend into the crop harvesting apparatus 26. Further, the barrier group 502 may still be coupled to the support rail 302 via the base 608. However, in this configuration, the base 608 may act as a shroud for the corresponding slot 802 to substantially block crop and debris from passing therethrough.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, each barrier group 502 may be coupleable to the track 302 in a discontinuous configuration (see fig. 4-7) or in a smooth configuration (see fig. 9). In the interrupted configuration, the obstructions 304 pass through the slots 802 radially inward of the inner surface 406 of the obstruction length 612 to contact and agitate the crop as it passes. In the smooth configuration, the obstacles 304 may be oriented radially away from the outer surface 804 such that the crop may pass over the corresponding slot 802 without being substantially agitated. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the links 806 may be spaced apart to accommodate the set of obstacles 502 in an intermittent or smooth configuration. Further, the set of obstacles 502 may be coupled to the support rail 302 in an alternating pattern between an interrupted configuration and a smooth configuration. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the user may orient the set of obstacles 502 in any possible combination of smooth and intermittent configurations to address crop and field conditions.

Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of fig. 10 may utilize a support member 302 and barrier group 502 similar to those discussed herein. However, in the embodiment of fig. 10, the barrier group 502 may be pivotally coupled to the support member 302 at a pivot axis 1002. The pivot axis 1002 may be a hinge or any known mechanism for pivotally coupling two members to one another. Further, pivot axis 1002 may allow barrier group 502 to pivot relative to support member 302 between an interrupted configuration and a smooth configuration.

In the illustrative view of fig. 10, the set of obstacles 502 is in a smooth configuration. In the smooth configuration, an obstacle angle 1004 is defined between the outer surface 804 of the support member 302 and the base 608 of the obstacle set 502. Further, the obstacle angle 1004 may be about or greater than the angle of the trailing profile 606 relative to the base 608. In this orientation, the obstruction 302 may not substantially extend through the corresponding slot 802 and, thus, not substantially contact the crop and other debris in the crop harvesting apparatus 26.

Optionally, the barrier group 502 may pivot about the pivot axis 1002 until the barrier angle 1004 is substantially zero. In other words, the barrier group 502 may pivot about the pivot axis 1002 until the base 608 is substantially adjacent to the outer surface 804. In this orientation, the obstacles 304 extend through the respective slots 802 at a maximum obstacle length 612 and are oriented in a discontinuous configuration.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a solenoid 1006 or actuator may selectively pivot the barrier group 502 relative to the support rail 302. More specifically, in one non-exclusive example, the solenoid 1006 may be pivotally coupled on one end to the top side 602 and pivotally coupled on another end to the base 608 of the barrier group 502. In this configuration, the solenoid 1006 may be selectively engaged to change the obstacle angle 1004. Each obstacle set 502 of the crop harvesting apparatus 26 may have a solenoid to control the obstacle angle 1004 of the obstacle set 502. Thus, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the obstacle angle 1004 of each obstacle group 502 may be independently controlled to produce a crop harvesting apparatus 26 that is capable of harvesting efficiently at high capacity.

While the solenoid 1006 is discussed herein as transitioning the barrier group 502 between an interrupted configuration and a smooth configuration, one embodiment utilizes an actuator in place of the solenoid 1006. The actuators may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric, and may be capable of positioning the barrier groups 502 at any angular orientation therebetween. That is, the barrier length 612 may vary. In certain crop and field conditions, a user may desire that the obstacle angle 1004 be any angle between the interrupted member and the smooth configuration. In this example, the actuator may move the set of obstacles 502 until the respective obstacle 304 extends only partially through the respective slot 802.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a user may identify crop and field conditions and orient the set of obstacles 502 in any configuration that is ideal for crop and field conditions. In the embodiment of fig. 6-9, a user may manually change the set of obstacles 502 by selectively coupling the set of obstacles 502 to the corresponding obstacle receiver 610 in a desired orientation. Alternatively, in the embodiment of fig. 10, the user may use a user interface to select a desired orientation of the set of obstacles 502. The user interface may communicate with a controller that controls the position of the solenoid 1006 to further change the set of obstacles 502 as identified by the user interface. Thus, the teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in many different configurations depending on the capabilities of the combine harvester 10 and the needs of the user.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that illustrative embodiment(s) have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An axial flow drum assembly for harvesting a crop, the axial flow drum assembly comprising:

a rotating portion defined along an axis of rotation;

a surrounding assembly at least partially surrounding the rotating portion, the surrounding assembly having at least one separation grate coupled to a support;

wherein the support defines an inner surface and has at least one barrier receiver;

further wherein the at least one obstacle receiver is selectively coupleable to an obstacle to position the obstacle radially inward of the inner surface toward the axis of rotation.

2. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 1, further wherein the at least one barrier receiver includes a slot defined through the support, wherein the barrier extends through the slot.

3. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 1, further wherein the obstruction has an obstruction length defining a distance that the obstruction extends from the inner surface toward the rotating portion, the obstruction length being variable.

4. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 3, further wherein said at least one barrier receiver is sized to receive a plurality of barrier types, wherein each of said plurality of barrier types has a different barrier length.

5. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 1, further wherein the barrier is a square stock defined longitudinally along at least a portion of the support.

6. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 1, further wherein said obstruction is a round bar defined longitudinally along at least a portion of said support.

7. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 1, further wherein the obstacles are tines extending from the support toward the rotating portion.

8. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 1, further wherein the barrier has a triangular or conical side profile.

9. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 1, further wherein the barrier is selectively coupled to the at least one barrier receiver to reposition the barrier between a limited exposure position in which the barrier does not extend beyond the inner surface of the support toward the rotating portion and a fully exposed position in which the barrier extends beyond the inner surface toward the rotating portion.

10. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 9, further wherein the barrier is repositionable between the limited exposure position and the full exposure position through an electronic user interface.

11. The axial flow drum assembly according to claim 9, further wherein the barrier is repositionable between an unexposed position and the fully exposed position via a mechanical adjustment.

12. A harvested crop processing apparatus comprising:

a support rail defining an inner surface;

at least one grating coupled to the support track at least partially about an axis of rotation; and

an obstacle coupled to the support rail,

wherein the barrier is coupleable to the support rail in a first orientation in which at least a portion of the barrier extends radially inward toward the axis of rotation and beyond an inner surface of the support rail.

13. The harvested crop processing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further wherein the barrier is coupleable to a support track in a second orientation in which the barrier does not extend substantially radially inward beyond the inner surface toward the axis of rotation.

14. The harvested crop processing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further wherein the barrier has a leading face that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface when the barrier is in the first orientation.

15. The harvested crop processing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further wherein the barrier has a tail profile extending from the guide surface to the inner surface, wherein the tail profile is non-perpendicular to the inner surface.

16. The harvested crop processing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further wherein the barrier is pivotally coupled to the support rail and includes a solenoid that selectively repositions the barrier between the first and second orientations.

17. A crop harvesting machine comprising:

at least one ground engaging mechanism coupled to the frame;

a header coupled to the frame and configured to cut a crop from a base surface;

crop treatment apparatus coupled to the frame by a plurality of supports, the crop treatment apparatus further comprising:

a rail having a top side, a bottom side, an inner surface and an outer surface, the rail extending between two adjacent supports;

a cover coupled to the track along a top side of the track;

a grid coupled to the rail along a bottom side of the rail;

an axial flow drum rotationally coupled to the crop harvesting machine along an axis of rotation and positioned at least partially between the hood and the grate; and

a first set of obstacles coupled to the track between the top side and the bottom side, the first set of obstacles defining at least one obstacle;

wherein the first set of obstacles is coupleable to the track in a first orientation to position the at least one obstacle to extend beyond the inner surface radially inward toward the axis of rotation through a first slot in the track.

18. The crop harvesting machine of claim 17, further comprising:

a second set of obstacles coupled to the track between the top side and the bottom side, the second set of obstacles defining at least one obstacle;

wherein the second set of obstacles is coupleable to the track in the first orientation to position the at least one obstacle to extend beyond the inner surface radially inward toward the axis of rotation through a second slot in the track;

wherein both the first and second groups of obstacles are also coupleable to the track in a second orientation, wherein neither of the at least one obstacle is positioned through the corresponding first or second slot when the corresponding first or second group of obstacles is in the second orientation.

19. The crop harvesting machine of claim 18, further wherein the first barrier group is coupleable to the rail in the first orientation and the second barrier group is coupleable to the rail in the second orientation.